If anyone is wondering more about what we’re actually doing here, I thought I’d write a little about work.
After the International Women’s Day celebration in Koppal, the girls returned home with their families for a couple of weeks for a summer vacation. (This time is always a little tense because there is always the possibility that some of the girls will be dedicated to the goddess and become devadasis while they are home. The teachers spent several days with their families in their villages answering questions, and working with the parents. Apparently some of the girls called the director, Nazer, and pleaded with him to come to their homes because their parents didn't want them to go back.) Ambryn and I were sad to see them go, and sad to have less time to work with them. Still, it’s exciting for them to be able to reconnect with their families and home villages.
And here at Visthar there is always plenty to do. May 11th brings the annual Festival of Just Peace. This is an annual mela (carnival) celebrating the joy that comes out of struggle. There will be local artisans demonstrating traditional crafts like handlooms, bamboo work, etc. People will be selling their wares. There will be traditional foods and emphasis on local, organic, etc. The plates will be made out of leaves (this is traditional here). There will be art exhibitions, photo exhibitions, dance, theatre, children’s activities, as well as stalls for local NGOs. It sounds like a really beautiful day.
Unfortunately, we cannot be in two places at the same time, and Ambryn and I need to hit the open road by the end of April in order to see all of the places we want to see before we leave India in June. We're on a train for Trivandrum (Kerala) on April 23rd!
Still, we’re able to be involved by helping to coordinate and facilitate some summer workshops for youth (ages 12-16) that will serve as a prelude to the actual festival day. This week we’re going to facilitate “creative movement” workshops. Ambryn is the dancer, so I’m mostly just assisting. I’m really excited for the opportunity to move, and for what I’ll learn. In the last two weeks I've traveled all over Bangalore with our co-worker and friend Lyola speaking with principals from area private high schools, visiting churches, community centers, etc.. It was very interesting. I don’t know if I could’ve survived the pressure that Indian children go through with their exams. It’s exam season and tensions are high.
So, the rest of this month will see Ambryn and I body-mapping, flocking, weight sharing, and moving through space with students and teachers from Bangalore.
After the International Women’s Day celebration in Koppal, the girls returned home with their families for a couple of weeks for a summer vacation. (This time is always a little tense because there is always the possibility that some of the girls will be dedicated to the goddess and become devadasis while they are home. The teachers spent several days with their families in their villages answering questions, and working with the parents. Apparently some of the girls called the director, Nazer, and pleaded with him to come to their homes because their parents didn't want them to go back.) Ambryn and I were sad to see them go, and sad to have less time to work with them. Still, it’s exciting for them to be able to reconnect with their families and home villages.
And here at Visthar there is always plenty to do. May 11th brings the annual Festival of Just Peace. This is an annual mela (carnival) celebrating the joy that comes out of struggle. There will be local artisans demonstrating traditional crafts like handlooms, bamboo work, etc. People will be selling their wares. There will be traditional foods and emphasis on local, organic, etc. The plates will be made out of leaves (this is traditional here). There will be art exhibitions, photo exhibitions, dance, theatre, children’s activities, as well as stalls for local NGOs. It sounds like a really beautiful day.
Unfortunately, we cannot be in two places at the same time, and Ambryn and I need to hit the open road by the end of April in order to see all of the places we want to see before we leave India in June. We're on a train for Trivandrum (Kerala) on April 23rd!
Still, we’re able to be involved by helping to coordinate and facilitate some summer workshops for youth (ages 12-16) that will serve as a prelude to the actual festival day. This week we’re going to facilitate “creative movement” workshops. Ambryn is the dancer, so I’m mostly just assisting. I’m really excited for the opportunity to move, and for what I’ll learn. In the last two weeks I've traveled all over Bangalore with our co-worker and friend Lyola speaking with principals from area private high schools, visiting churches, community centers, etc.. It was very interesting. I don’t know if I could’ve survived the pressure that Indian children go through with their exams. It’s exam season and tensions are high.
So, the rest of this month will see Ambryn and I body-mapping, flocking, weight sharing, and moving through space with students and teachers from Bangalore.
On one last work-related note, here I am with two co-workers: Steven from the paper unit and Shafi. We were three of five people in the backseat of the Qualis (a Toyota SUV thing) with 10 people total in the vehicle. I'm really going to miss the people at Visthar!
No comments:
Post a Comment